Just Learnin'

I have both of these soundcards, Audigy 2 Platinum and Audigy 4, and am running Vista 64bit on a GA-EP45-UD3P mobo with the Realtek ALC889A codec, High Definition Audio onboard sound. I have a set of the Logitech Z-5500 speakers. My question is would it be worth trying one of these soundcards over the onboard solution in Vista 64bit or not?

If not, what would be a better sound card, other than a Creative card, than the onboard Realtek audio? I am mostly interested in sound quality in games.

Robert McClelland

Hi how much you willing to go up to for sound card?

__________________
"XTREME AUDIO IS CRAP!" "There no support for it. It's crapist card on face of the earth it should be throw into the sun"

Just Learnin'

I would be willing to spend in the $200.00 or so area. Something in mind that works well in Vista with perhaps consideration for Windows 7 in mind at that price range? I also would like to see decent driver support from the company that makes the card.

mkk

When I got my GA-EP45-UD3P I gave the onboard sound an honest chance since I wouldn't mind not having to use a Creative card. It wasn't so bad but after a day I popped in my old Audigy 2ZS and the midrange is so much clearer and detailed that it was definitely worth it.

I'm also looking for a new soundcard and eying the Asus Xonar series, but I will at least wait for Windows 7 drivers to appear. This time I want a soundcard where I can be sure to get a built in equaliser that keeps its settings without fuss. There should also be a lower cost version of the Xonar Essence STX card coming out this year.

For years I've also been thinking about getting a digital-to-analog box to have outside the system, to be able to use integrated sound digital output which is typically excellent. But I haven't been able to find one as simple as I'd like it to be, as I have no use for a full blown reciever unit.

Just Learnin'

What about this one ASUS Xonar Essence STX PCI-E1 SPDIF Sound Card 124DB SNR W/ Headphone AMP - DirectCanada is it the best bet for gaming/driver support outside the Creative line up? It would be nice to know how it would perform under Windows 7.

Just Learnin'

Are you referring to something like the decoder that comes with the Z-5500's which has optical in? Really sorry for my lack of knowledge in this area.

mkk

Something that does the same thing but in the form of a small box that one uses for connecting regular analog speakers to. I'd really only need stereo output. It's too bad that digital connections hasn't really caught on below the home cinema segment.

Then there's also a large number of USB sound products today, but I still can't quite trust USB for something so important.

RIV@NVX

You already have digital speakers, so sound quality will not change when you get another soundcard. If I were you, I would stick with onboard.

__________________
-- Vedran

Just Learnin'

Is that what this Asus Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe allows for with the H6 Extension board? Extreme PC

Zelig

Just Learnin': If I were you, I'd hook up the Audigy 4 you already have, it took Creative a couple years, but their Vista 64 drivers are finally useful for the most part.

Although analog quality with any good soundcard is going to be better than the digital through the Z-5500's decoder.

__________________
--

Just Learnin'

So these speakers with the decoder set to 6 channel direct and the Audigy 4 would be better than the optical out on the onboard in your opinion Zelig? I have the card in an XP machine and it is pretty much only used for internet now so I could just put the Audigy 2 Platinum in that machine and use the Audigy 4 in this one. The Audigy 2 Platinum had the advantage of the optical out on the bay drive though. Guess I will swap out the Audigy 4 and see what it is like. Thanks for all the info so far!

Judas

the analog out is superior compared to the digital out on any card that i'm aware off

direct 6 channel from the realtek HD ALC899a with 192khz 24bit audio being fed to it will allow you to set the equalizer to any values you want and have it stick.

__________________

Just Learnin'

Well I hooked up my Audigy 4 today and as pathetic as the support for Vista 64 bit is for the Audigy cards I MUCH prefer the sound to that of the onboard Realtek audio. Is there any software from the install disk that works in Vista 64 bit? All I installed was the latest driver from the Creative download site and the Alchemy application.

Mac Daddy

Not sure on the Creative drivers Bro.

On the cards and onboard here at home I am using the onboard on my GA-X38-DQ6 it supports Dolby Surround and DTS 7.1. Been happy with it and my Auzentech X-Plosion was blocking the airflow in my case so I sent it to a friend

I am a musician so the real big toys are at the studio but to be honest with ya if I pick up a specific sound card to use again it is going to be something like M-Audio used to have. Not sure if this helps just wanted to speak up a bit

PPS: On the 64 bit drivers bug Robert on KX about them

__________________
"My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Just Learnin'

Not sure how much gaming you do or what you like in games or even what your speakers are but I can truly say the sound of this card surpasses the onboard of the GA-EP45-UD3P in Far Cry 2 leastways. I am no musician but the sound is much warmer and the directional aspect is by far better with the Audigy 4.

Robert is Pax is he not? Too much trouble as near as I can tell with those drivers. Really confusing as far as install procedure/version etc. as well.

Mac Daddy

Cool and the Auzentech card was warmer as well but with my amplifier and speaker setup the onboard sounds surprisingly good. It's enough for here and the games and stuff I play.

Still looking for a dedicated card with more flexibility for recording myself.

__________________
"My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen